Revelation 22:1–11

Review…

• New Jerusalem…
  • The Holy City…
    • One of the SEVEN angels took John in the Spirit to see the Bride of the Lamb…
    • She lives in the New Jerusalem – that came down from heaven – and was the GLORY of God!
  • The Description…
    • The city was made of clear Jasper and Gold – so the light of Jesus can shine out from her…
    • There are TWELVE gates – guarded by angels – marked with the TWELVE tribes of Israel…
    • There are TWELVE foundations – which at the TWELVE apostles of Jesus…
    • And the city if HUGE – it is a 2400 milometer CUBE – providing MANSIONS for all!
  • What is missing…
    • There is no TEMPLE – because God will walk with us on the streets of gold…
    • There is no SUN – because Jesus is the light of the world – John 8:12
    • There is no NIGHT – so the gates of the city are always open [whosoever]
    • There is no SIN – because only those in the Lambs book of Life can come in!

Coming Quickly…

• 1^st – Inside the City… vs. 1–5
  • 1^st – River of Life… vs. 1
    • Pure Water…
      • He showed me a pure river of water of life – clear as crystal!
      • As the ANGEL continued to TOUR John through the NEW Jerusalem…
      • He showed him – THREE more things that are found INSIDE the City…
      • FIRST – there is a RIVER that runs through it…
      • It is PURE – CLEAR – like CRYSTAL – all three adjectives emphasis it has NO impurities!
      • There are certain things we NEED to survive…
      • Other than AIR – WATER is the most essential thing needed for LIFE…
      • But imagine picking up a cup water on a hot day – only to see it is FILTHY…
      • The last thing we want when we are THIRSTY – is DIRTY water!
      • Life – TRUE life – cannot be found in drinking DIRTY water…
      • Yet the WATER of this world – is FILTHY – so it can NEVER satisfy us – John 4:13
      • The WATER of this life only serves to remind us we are still THIRSTY…
      • We will ONLY be satisfied when we drink the PURE water in the NEW Jerusalem!
      • John 4:14 – “The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
    • The Throne…
      • [The river] proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb!
      • Do NOT miss the source of this RIVER – it flows out of God and Jesus [the Lamb]
      • This is NOT the only place we read about this – it was prophesied in the Psalms!
      • Psalm 46:4 – “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God… God is in the midst of her – she shall not be moved.”
      • Everyone in life has a World View – what they see as the meaning of LIFE…
      • The problem is the World View of most people is based on a LIE …
      • Therefore they are confused – because they are NOT content…
      • Because rather than believe the TRUTH – they believe the LIE this world can satisfy them!
      • We were NOT created by God to be fulfilled by the things of this world…
      • We were created by God to know Him – worship Him – John 17:3
      • And only when we are willing to come to the TRUTH – and drink from the RIVER of LIFE…
      • Will we find that we are IMMOVABLE – because we have found the meaning of LIFE!
  • 2^nd – Tree of Life… vs. 2
    • From the Garden…
      • In the middle of her street – and on either side of the river – was the tree of life!
      • SECOND – there is a TREE that grows beside the RIVER – next to the MAIN street of the city…
      • It is a TREE that we have seen before in the Bible – the TREE of LIFE…
      • It was planted in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve – Genesis 2:9
      • But when they SINNED – their access to the TREE was cut off!
      • Genesis 3:24 – “[God] placed cherubim… to guard the way to the tree of life.”
      • We lost access to the TREE of Life – because we chose the TREE of Knowledge…
      • We thought we did NOT need God – and would be ok on our own…
      • We have spent the last 6000 years proving we were WRONG!
    • Twelve Fruits…
      • Which bore twelve fruits – each tree yielding its fruit every month!
      • The TREE is ALWAYS bearing fruit – a different kind for each MONTH of the year…
      • TWELVE fruits – likely a reference to the GOVERNMENT of the NEW Jerusalem!
      • Just like there were TWELVE tribes of Israel – and TWELVE apostles of Jesus…
      • The TREE of life will produce a FRUITFUL government to rule over the city!
      • We do NOT have a perfect Government today – it is VERY flawed…
      • And it does not matter what COUNTRY – or WHO gets into power…
      • EVERY government today will be flawed – because they are led by SINFUL men!
    • Healing leaves…
      • The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations!
      • This is not some new fad vegetarian diet…
      • I do not think the NATIONS [ἔθνος] will eat the leaves to be healed [θεραπεία]
      • It is a reference to the health of the NATIONS because of a good GOVERNMENT!
      • When Israel demanded that Samuel give them a KING…
      • God told the prophet – they are not rejecting you – they are rejecting Me – I Samuel 8:7
      • Because Israel already had a KING – they were ruled by God!
      • The best form of government is not DEMOCRACY – that looks to SINNERS to make CHOICES…
      • It is not SOCIALISM – because that depends on SINNERS to do what is RIGHT…
      • The only GOVERNMENT that works – is a THEOCRACY – where God is on the THRONE…
      • Because then we are NOT trusting in FLAWED men to lead…
      • We look to the LORD – who brings LIFE – to HEAL the nations!
  • 3^rd – The Throne… vs. 3-5
    • The Curse…
      • When Adam and Eve chose to eat of the TREE of knowledge – that God told them NOT to…
      • They rejected the WORD of God – and the CURSE began!
      • Genesis 3:17 – “Cursed is the [earth] for your sake.”
      • We are still under that CURSE – because people still reject the WORD of God…
      • Rather than look to the Jesus [the Word] – people still look to KNOWLEDGE…
      • We live in a world that DENIES our creator – believing they are an accident [Evolution]
      • Not because it is true – they believe it because they LOVE their SIN!
      • I Corinthians 16:22 – “Anyone does not love the Lord Jesus – let him be accursed [ἀνάθεμα].”
      • Or they DENY the Word of God – because they follow the RELIGIONS of men…
      • All RELIGIONS are an attempt by men to be GOOD – but they all come up short!
      • Galatians 1:9 – “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received – let him be accursed [ἀνάθεμα].”
    • Jesus Throne… vs. 3
      • There shall be no more curse [singular].
      • The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in [the city] – and His servants shall serve Him!
      • THIRD – in the NEW Jerusalem there will be NO more CURSE…
      • Because the THRONE of God and Jesus [Lamb] will be there…
      • And everyone will CHOOSE to be SERVANTS [δοῦλος] of the Lord…
      • They will CHOOSE to obey His Word – and Love Jesus!
      • John 14:15 – “If you love Me – [obey] My commandments”.
      • If it seems like no matter what we do in life is NOT working – perhaps we are CURSED…
      • Because the ONLY way to have a BLESSED life – is by OBEYING and LOVING Jesus!
      • Often – we get frustrated with our CHOICES – NOT knowing what to do…
      • We want to know which way we should go – but it really does not matter…
      • Rather than worry about the DECISION – all we have to do is CHOSE who to trust in…
      • If we are looking to Jesus – no matter what we do – we will be BLESSED!
      • Psalms 1:3 – “[Then] whatever [we] do will prosper!
    • Jesus Face… vs. 4
      • They shall see His face – and His name shall be on their foreheads!
      • Because the THRONE is in the NEW Jerusalem – we will SEE the face of God…
      • Which makes sense – if we are in the city WITH God – we will SEE God…
      • And He will write His name on our foreheads [we will be marked as His]!
      • Moses wanted to see the FACE of the Lord – Exodus 33:18
      • God would let His GOODNESS [כָּל־טוּבִי] pass before Moses – and He would call out His name…
      • But no man can look on His FACE and live – Exodus 33:20
      • Because God is HOLY – therefore SINFUL man would perish in the pure light of God!
      • When we come to the NEW Jerusalem – we NO longer have sin…
      • We will be in our glorified bodies – and be able to look upon our HOLY God!
      • Job 19:26 – “After my body has [died] – yet in my [new] body I will see God.”
    • Jesus Light… vs. 5
      • There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun.
      • For the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever!
      • Because the THRONE is in the NEW Jerusalem – there will be NO night – Revelation 21:25
      • No more need for a light on our cell phones to see at night…
      • Because the Lord [κύριος] who is THE only God [ὁ θεὸς] – will be the LIGHT!
      • John 1:9 – “[Jesus] is the true Light… that [came] into the world.”
      • People can get so excited when they see something they have always wanted…
      • But that excitement does NOT last – and they move on to something else!
      • But when we see Jesus [who is God] – no one will want to move on…
      • Which is why once we get there – we will STAY – and REIGN [indicative] with Him FOREVER!
• 2^nd – The Timing… vs. 6-7
  • 1^st – Time is near… vs. 6
    • The Words…
      • Then he said to me – These words are faithful and true.
      • And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants!
      • The Angel then told John – these the [ὁ] WORDS [λόγος] are FAITHFUL and TRUE…
      • FAITHFUL – because they are meant to cause us to have FAITH [πίστις] in a crazy world…
      • TRUE – because we can be absolutely certain they will come to pass…
      • The WORDS – are referring to the WHOLE book of Revelation:
      • THREE times – PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE – Revelation 1:19
      • THREE events – RAPTURE – WRATH – RETURN of Jesus
      • THREE judgements – SEAL – TRUMPET – and BOWL judgments
      • And the same God who spoke in the PAST through the Holy [ἅγιος] Prophets…
      • Now sent the ANGEL – to show His servant [δοῦλος] what is coming!
    • The Timing…
      • The things which must shortly take place!
      • The events of the book of Revelation – must be done QUICKLY [τάχος]
      • It has been 2000 years since these WORDS were given to John…
      • That certainly does not qualify for happen SOON…
      • What this means that once the events begin – this will all happen FAST!
      • When a mother is carrying a new child – not much seems to happen…
      • Until the very last minute – when the LABOR begins – then things move FAST!
      • Matthew 24:8 – “These are the beginning of birth pains.” [NIV]
      • It is easy to get comfortable – and think we still have TIME…
      • After all – it has already been 2000 years – why would Jesus come now…
      • But we are NOT waiting for the RETURN of Jesus – we are WAITING for the RAPTURE…
      • And that could happen at any MOMENT – when we least expect it!
      • I Thessalonians 5:2 – “The day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”
  • 2^nd – Jesus is coming… vs. 7
    • Behold – I am coming quickly!
      • BEHOLD – a command [imperative] to LOOK…
      • Because Jesus is coming [present] – and it will happen QUICKLY [τάχος]
      • How FAST will Jesus come – in the BLINK of an eye!
      • I Corinthians 15:52 – “In a moment – in the twinkling of an eye… we shall be changed.”
      • The simple point being – if we are not READY – we will miss out on the Rapture…
      • We do NOT know the day or the hour when Jesus will return – Mark 13:32
      • But we must be preprepared – live each day like this might be THE day!
      • Luke 21:28 – “Look up and lift up your heads – because your redemption draws near.”
    • Blessed…
      • Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book!
      • HAPPY [μακάριος] is the person who pays ATTENTION [τηρέω] to this BOOK!
      • HAPPY – because we are going to understand that time is SHORT…
      • And understand what is at STAKE – the Lake of FIRE – or NEW Jerusalem…
      • We know who WINS – and are HAPPY if we chose to be on His side!
• 3^rd – The Warning… vs. 8-11
  • 1^st – Unprepared… vs. 8-9
    • Overwhelmed…
      • Now I – John – saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw.
      • I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things!
      • When John saw and heard all of this he was OVERWHELMED…
      • He fell down and WORSHIPED the ANGEL who was showing Him the NEW Jerusalem…
      • This is the SECOND time that John tried to worship and Angel – Revelation 19:10
    • Worship God…
      • Then he said to me – See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant…
      • Of your brethren the prophets – and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!
      • Immediately the ANGEL told him NOT [imperative] to do that…
      • He was no different than John – he was also just a SERVANT [σύνδουλος]
      • Like one of the PROPHETS – or anyone who keeps the word of this BOOK [all of us]
      • Instead – only WORSHIP [imperative] God!
      • We tend to worship the messenger – rather than the one who sent the message…
      • The danger is people [including pastors] are destined to fail – we are ALL sinners…
      • And if we have put our faith in a FLAWED man – rather than in a PERFECT Lord…
      • When that man stumbles – makes a mistake – we will fall with him!
  • 2^nd – Unsealed… vs. 10
    • He said to me – Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book – for the time is at hand!
    • When Daniel had finished his prophecy – he was told to SEAL the book – Daniel 12:9
    • Because it was NOT yet TINE for the PLAN of God to be revealed…
    • But the Angel asked John – do NOT [subjunctive] seal this book…
    • Because NOW was the time for the PLAN of God to be revealed…
    • And the only way people are going to KNOW what that PLAN is – is through the WORD!
    • The two most important parts of any STORY – are the BEGINNING and the END…
    • Yet the two books of the Bible that most churches avoid – are Genesis and Revelation!
    • Many churches argue Genesis is IRRELEVANT – contrary to approved modern Science…
    • And they argue Revelation is too CONFUSING – or too CONTROVERSIAL…
    • But what they are actually doing is choosing to SEAL up the words of the BOOK…
    • We need to stand up and UNSEAL it – let people KNOW!
    • Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing – and hearing by the word of God.”
  • 3^rd – Unchanged… vs. 11
    • Sinners…
      • He who is unjust – let him be unjust still. He who is filthy – let him be filthy still!
      • Why is it so IMPORTANT for us to UNSEAL the Word…
      • Because when Jesus comes – there will NOT be time for anyone to CHANGE…
      • The SINNER [ἀδικέω] will just keep on [present] choosing [active] to SIN…
      • The FILTHY [ῥυπαίνω] will be continually [present] choose [active] to be UNCLEAN!
      • Until it is TOO late – and they end up standing before the Great White Throne!
    • Righteous…
      • He who is righteous – let him be righteous still. He who is holy – let him be holy still!
      • But the RIGHTEOUS [δίκαιος] – are [aorist] made [passive] RIGHTEOUS…
      • The HOLY [ἅγιος] – are [aorist] made to be [passive] HOLY still!
      • There is a SUBTLE – but MAJOR – difference between the UNJUST and RIGHTEOUS…
      • Where men CHOOSE [active] to live [present] a SINFUL life – that makes them FILTHY…
      • God can MAKE [passive] us RIGHTEOUS and HOLY – in a moment [aorist]
      • I Peter 3:21 – “Removal of the filth [ῥυπαίνω]… comes through the resurrection of Jesus.”
      • We have the ANSWER the world needs – we have the WORDS of the BOOK…
      • But like John we have a CHOICE – do we SEAL those words – or SHARE them…
      • If we are willing to tell others – the Gospel has POWER – Romans 1:16
      • It can take who are SINNERS and make them into SAINTS!